Kandersteg faces landslide risk from Spitze Stei rock formation

The Swiss Alpine village of Kandersteg, home to approximately 1,300 residents, faces a significant landslide threat from the unstable Spitze Stei rock formation. Experts warn that a potential collapse could be twice the size of the landslide that occurred in Blatten in May 2025. Beyond falling debris, a collapse could strike Lake Oeschinen, potentially sending a wave toward the village.

Geologists and residents attribute the instability to rising temperatures and global warming. As glaciers retreat and permafrost thaws, water enters rock cracks and the frozen ground that previously stabilized the slopes loses its grip. Switzerland reported a 4% loss in glacier volume in 2023, following a 6% loss the previous year.

Authorities monitor the mountain constantly and have established evacuation routes, stating that residents would receive at least 24 hours of warning before a major collapse. While locals express an acceptance of the risk, climate experts warn that such geological instability may eventually force the abandonment of certain valleys and villages.